Electric switch



June 29, 1943. E. E. JOHNSON 2,323,050

` ELECTRIC swITcH Filed J,an. 30, 1941 Elmer Edo/insre' -1NVENTOR- M ATTORNEY Patented'June 2 9, 1943 v UNITI-:Dv STATES PATENT OFFICE Q .tm' Elmer E. '.Iohnson, Bronson, Mich., assigner to gnhmso., Bronson, Mich., a cor- Anueaaen January so, 194,1, sei-lar No. 316,635 1i claims. (cl. zoo-164) 'Ihis invention relates generally to electrical switches, and preferably of the reciprocatory type used in conjunction with automotive electrical apparatus Many improved principles of design and construction have been embodied. in the instrument panels of automotivevehicles, and other panel that part of the guide of the switch mechanism which is-adapted to be operatively connected to the inner extremity of the operating means.

In the drawing, numeral I generally designates a rectangular boxlike casing; 2 a contact carrier of insulating material; 3 a guide member which forms a part of the switch mechanism; 4 bridge mountings, and certain of these panels are so arranged with respect to other structure adiacent' therear of the panel, and otherwise, that it lbecomes diiiicult `to ilnd suillcient space for assembling a complete electric switch in the rear oi' the panel, in which event it is necessary to first mount .the switch casing or body adjacent means supported on acarrier 5; 8 a spring carl ried by the guide 3 for supporting the bridge means 4 and associated carrier 5; 'I is operating means in the form of a rod adapted to be detachably connected to the guide 3; l is a biasing means, in the form of a spring carriedyby the rod 1. interposed between the guide I and one extremity of the switch casing whereby to predetermine the position of the guide, and the bridge means 4 relative to the contacts carried by the 'carrier 2; and i is a brace member for the spring l, all of which will be subsequently described in detail.

. Considering now the switch casing, same includes a bottom wall I0, end walls II and I2, and side walls I3 and I4. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the end extremities of the side walls Il and I4 are inturned against the exterior surfaces of the l end walls II and I2 in order to reinforce the the resilient means employed for maintaining Figure 2 is a top view of the switch shown in Figure 1, with the switch back or contact carrier of insulating material removed; I l

Figure :i` isan enlarged vertical section, taken substantially on line l-l of Figure 1 showing certain details of the switch mechanism;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing other details of construction;

Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding substantially to Figure 4, showing the manner in which the switch i mechanism and operating meansv therefor may beV disconnected with respect to each other; t t

` Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the inner extremity of the operating means; and

Figure 7 is an 'enlarged `perspective'view 0I- latter to some extent, to counteract any strain placed on the end walls of the casing. The side wall I4 of the casing is provided with a pair of upstanding fingers I5 and I6, the side wall I3 with a pair of similar ngers Il and I8, and the end wall II with a iinger I9, al1 of which are adapted to project through suitable apertures or recesses provided therefor in the carrier or switchback 2, and are bent outwardly over and upon the exterior surface of the carrier to `firmly secure the carrier in place as evidenced in Figure 1. The end wall I2 of the casing is provided with a more or less centrally located aperture, within which is rmly secured a tubular bearing member 20. This bearing is provided with an inner reduced extremity which seats within the aperture and is overset or flanged against /t'he inner surface of the wall I2; The switch may be secured to an instrument panel or other support in any manner desired, but is preferably mounted by inserting the outer threadedv extremity of the bearing 20 through a hole provided therefor in the support with the abutment 22 on the bearing in engagement with the rear side of the support and screwing a nut onto the extremity whereby to clamp the support between the abutment and nut.

The planar bottom wall I0 of the switch casing for lifting or elevating the guide 3 so that the operating rod 1 may be disconnected from the guide and switch, allof which willbe described more in detail later.l

The contact carrier or switchback 2 is preferably made rectangular in shape and of a size somewhat larger than the casing I so that prtions of the carrier project laterally outwardly with reference to the upper .extremity of ythe casing. The carrier may be comprised of a plu. rality of superimposed ilat plies or plates of insulating material. The upper ply 24 is made of stock somewhat heavier than that of the lower ply 25 as it carries the terminal postsgenerally designated 26 and 21.

Any suitable type of terminal posts may be used but the posts 26 and 21 have provenv desirable, and provide means whereby plug conductor terminals may be detachably snapped into connection therewith.l Each post is secured to the upper ply 24 by a rivet 28 as illustrated in Figure 4 and includes, among other things, an upstanding generally tubular split cylindrical resilient receptacle 29 and an oisetbase portion 30. The resilient terminal receptacle is kpreferably protected from damage or injury by a guard member associated therewith, the latter including a tubular part 3l which surrounds the receptacle 29, and an offset base portion 32 superimposed upon the base portion 30 of the receptacle. The headed rivets 28 pass through the base portions 30 and 32 just referred to, and also through holes provided therefor in the ply 24. The head 33 of each rivet is disposed within an aperture provided therefor in the lower and thinner ply 25 of the carrier, and that end of the rivet opposite the head 33 is overset upon the base 32 of each guard member whereby to secure each post to the upper ply 24. The base 32 of each guard may be provided with a tail portion or lug 34 which projects laterally into a hole 35 in the ply 24 in order provided with a notch 40 in order to provide clearance for the inner extremity of the rod 1 when the latter is being assembled and disassembled with respect to the guide 3.

The guide member 3 is preferably of channel shape including, among other things, a bottom of insulating material as clearly shown in Figto prevent arly possible rotation or movement of each terminal post relative to the carrier 2. By this arrangement the terminal receptacles 29 are disposed above and in spaced apart relation to the carrier, and the contact heads 33 of the rivets 28 assume a position flush with the bottom surface of the lower ply 25 so that the contacts are presented to be engaged by the raised round contact portions 36 and 31 provided on the bridge means 4.

The bridge means 4 is preferably in the form of a triangular metal plate having rounded contact portions 36 through 38 provided thereon, one adjacent each corner and equally spaced apart as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. The central part of the bridge is preferably provided with three tubular lugs 39 which project in a direction opposite to that of the raised contact portions 36 through 38 into apertures provided therefor in the bridge carrier 5 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The'lugs 39 are preferably equally spaced apart so that they may be fitted into any of the apertures provided in the carrier, in which event two of the raised contact portions on the bridge 4 will at all times be presentedfor engagement with the rivet contacts 33 mounted on the carrier 2. The lugs 39 are of a length less than the thickness of the carrier 5 so that the lugs can not under any circumstances engage the spring 6 to cause a short circuit. j

.f The bridge carrier 5 is preferably rectangular or square in shape or of a shape to slidably ilt within the connes of the guide member 3, and one marginal side of the carrier l Prefl'bl? ures 3 through 5 whereby to maintain theelectric circuit normally open. The bottom wall 4|' of the guide is also preferably provided with a pair of depressions 45, one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the switch casing and between the wall 42 and protuberance 44 of the guide. These depressions 45 c ause the guide Y3 to normally assume a tilted position with that portion of the bottom wall 4I adjacent the Wall 43 engaging the bottom wall l0 of the switch casing on a line slightly to the right of the opening 23, as depicted 'in Figure 4. In other words only the depressions 45 and the right hand end of the guide 3 slidably engage the bottom wall of the switch casing when the switch is operated. The spring 6 functions to normally hold the guide 3 in the tilted position just referred to and the contact portions of the bridge 4 in engagement with the lower ply of the carrier 2. This arrangement provides a well balanced construction and the bridge is held in position substantially parallel to the ply 25 and the pressure exerted by the spring is well distributed with respect to the guide and bridge means.

The manner in which the operating rod 1 is detachably connected or latched to the guide member 3 will now be considered. The `bottom wall 4| of the guide 3 near the wall 43 is provided with ya longitudinally extending slot 46 and the wall 43 with a vertical slot 41 `which is communicatively connected to the slot 46. These slots together form a generally L-shaped opening. More specifically the slot 46 is disposed and arranged transverse with respect to the opening 23 provided in the bottom wall i0 of the switch casing, and the upper marginal edge of the slot 41 is inturned with respect to the guide 3 to provide a ngeror latch 48. 'I'he slot 41 is adapted to receive the inner extremity 0f the rod and the slot 46 provides clearance for said extremity when the rod is being assembled and disassembled with respect to the guide.

The inner extremity of the rod may be made as desired, but as herein illustrated, preferablyI includes, among other things, an extension 49 generally rectangular in cross-section and of a size somewhat less than the cross-sectional size of the remainder of the rod whereby to provide .an abutment 5l),` A generally square shaped notch 5| is provided adjacent the upper extremity of the extension 49. As the result of this notch the extension is provided with an upturned projection 52- arranged substantially at right anglesl with reference to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The abutment 50 and that vwall of the projection 52 opposite the abutment `50 are arranged in spaced apartrelation and constitute the side walls of the notch 5I, and the bottom wall thereof is indicated by numeral 53. The extreme end of the integral extension 49 is preferably provided with a cam surface 54 arranged lat an acute angle with reference tothe axis of the rod. In short, the rod is provided with a generally L-shapedV extension having a cam surface thereon.

The brace member 9,' above referred to, at the beginning of this description, is arranged within the casing I and `rests upon its bottom wall Il as. clearly shown in Figure 2. This brace is preferably constructed from a single piece of iiat sheet metal stock, and includes a pair of substantially parallel portions 55, end portion B connecting portions 55, and portions 51 which extend outwardly substantially at right angl with reference to the vportions l5; and the free extremities of the outwardly extending portions are'adapted to more or less frictionally engage the side walls I4 and l5 of the switch casing. One extremity of the spring 8, above referred to,

and which is carried by the rod 1, is disposed in that space or pocket formed by the parallel portions 65 of the brace, with one end engaging the Vend portion 56, and its opposite extremity engaging the upturned wall portion I3 of the guide I, in orderto normally press the opposite upturned wall portion I2 of the guide into engagement with the end wall Il ofthe switch casing, Thus, the guide and brace areV urged in opposite directions by the spring 8, with thel -portion 56 of the brace engaging the inner anged over extremity of the tubular bearing member 20 which receivesthe rod. The portion IB is preferably provided with an` aperture through which the rod 1 extends. By this improved arrangement, the respective positions of the brace member 9 and the guide 3 are predetermined. More speciiically, the aperture in the brace, they axis of the spring 8 rand the slot I1 in the guide are arranged vin alignment so that the same will properly `receive 4the rod when it is being operatively connected to the guide. The outwardly extending portions 51 of the' brace 9 provide abutments which form a stop'` whereby to limit the outward movement of the guide.

To connect the rod to the guidemember 3 forming a part of the switch mechanism, the rod is merely inserted through the bushing 20 from the front side of the instrument panel mounting through the aperture in the brace, through the spring 8, andas the inclined cam surface 54 on the extension 49 of the rodi enters the slot" and gradually engages the inturned finger or catch 4B on the guide, the lower en d of the guide is graduallylifted or elevated until the projection 52 on the extension passes beyond said iinger or catch, whereupon, the pressure exerted bythe spring 6 carried by the guide causes the raised end of the guide to snap downwardly to engage the bottom wall Ill of the casing, and the catch 48 into the notch 5i betweeny theA side walls defining said notch. vas clearly illustrated :in Figure 4. In viewof the fact that the e enlsion( 49 is generally rectangular in cross-sec ion,

it should be clearly evident that rotation of the rod with respect to the `guide is prevented and,

ofcourse, `this feature is' desirable vin those instances where an operatingknob 'adapted to be secured to the' outer free end ofthe operating 4rod is provided with certain indicia which indlcia may be quickly and intelligently when the indicia is right' sideup.

`To' disconnect. or release the rod -from the guide, it is only necessary to.insert a tool, such asthat indicated in Flgure', upwardly into the opening 23 provided in the bottom wall of the switch casing and raise or elevate the lower end read only of the guide -untii the man u on the guide clears the notch 5I' on the extension of vthe rod,

lwhereupon the rod maybe freely pulled out-` wardly entirely apart from the switch. 'I 'he rod may be again assembled with the switch 'mechanism by following the procedure set forth in the preceding paragraph. l

In view of the foregoing, it is evident that `means have been provided whereby operating means for a `switch may be easily and quickly assembled or dissembled with respect to the switch mechanism; resilient means whereby to predetermine the vposition of the switch mechanism; and improved means for predetermining the position of the resilient means with respect to the switch mechanism and other related Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of nism receiving and predetermining the position of a portion of said resilient means with respect to a part of said mechanism.

2. An electric switch including, a casing, a carriercarrying contacts secured to said casing, a guide movable within said casing, a carrier carrying bridge means resiliently mounted in said guide, a resilient element acting on said guide'for maintaining same ina predetermined position, means `arranged in said casing apart from said g'uide, said means having a part providing a stop for limiting the movement of said guide in one direction, and a part for receiving said resilient element for maintaining said meansin a predetermined position with respect to said guide.

3. An electric switch including, a casing, a carrier carrying contacts supported on said casing, switch mechanism carrying bridge means for said contacts, said mechanism 'including a wall provided with an aperture', generally tubular resil- .ient means and a brace arranged within said casing, said brace being acted upon by said resilient means to position the axis of said resilient means in alignment with the aperture in said wall. Y

4; An electric switch including, a casing, an aperture in a wall of said casing, a carrier carrying contacts supported on said casing, switch mechanism carrying bridge means for said contacts, said mechanism including a movable member provided with an aperture, generally tubular resilient rrieans disposed in said casing, and

means for locating the longitudinal axis ofsaid vresilient means in alignment with both of said apertures. v

5. switch as set' forth in' claim 4, in A4which f an aperture is provided in said locating means,

and said 'resilient means is similarly located with respect thereto. f

6. An'electric switch including, a casing, a wall of said casing having an aperture therein, a car- 'rier carrying contacts supported `on said casing,

movable means supporting bridge means fori-said contacts, resilient means for maintaining said movable means in a predetermined position, and means loosely arranged within thecasing apart from said movable means for maintaining said resilient means in a definite position with respect to said aperture, said resilient means also acting to maintain said loosely arranged means in spaced apart relation to said movable means.

7. A stop member adapted for disposition within the confines of..a switch casing for limiting movement of switch mechanism in one direction, said member being comprised of a channel portion adapted to receive means for maintaining the mechanism in a predetermined position, and said channel portion being provided with wings projecting laterally with reference to the longitudinal axis of the channel portion, said wing portions being constructed and arranged to engage the casing to predetermine the position of one extremity of the stop member and at the same time provide abutments which are adapted to be engaged by the switch mechanism for limiting movement of same in a predetermined direction.`

8. An electric switch including, a switch casing, a carrier of insulating material carrying contacts mounted on said casing, a guide member supporting contact means adapted to engage the contacts on said carrier, a tubular bearing member carried by a wall of said casing, an actuating rod reciprocably mounted in said bearing and having connection with said guide, and means loosely arranged in the casing disposed between the bearing and the guide in spaced relation with respect to the guide rwhereby to provide a stop limiting movement of said guide in at least one direction. g

9. An electric switch including, a switch casing, a carrier supporting contacts mounted on said casing, switching mechanism carrying contact means adapted for connection with said contacts on said carrier, an actuating rod extending into said casing and connected to said switching mechanism for operating said mechanism, and separate means arranged within said casing in spaced apart relation to said switching mechanism assisting to predetermine the position -of the inner extremity of the rod with respect to said mechanism.

V10. An electric switch including, a switch casing, a carrier supporting contacts mounted on said casing, switch mechanism carrying contact means adapted for connection with said contacts on said carrier, a tubular bearing member secured to a wall of the casing, an actuating member rei ciprocably mounted in said bearing and connected to said mechanism for operating same, separate means varranged in said casing between said mechanism and said bearing, and resilient means interposed between said mechanism and said separate means for normally maintaining the latter and said mechanism in spaced apart relation.

il. An electric switch including, a cup-shaped casing having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, a carrier carrying contacts carried by said.

casing, a guide member movably arranged in said casing, said guide having a bottom wall and an upstanding wail, an opening in said upstanding wall, bridge means supported on said bottom wall adapted to cooperate with said contacts, means integral with the bottom wall of said guide engaging the bottom wall of said casing for normally maintaining said guide in a tilted position, an aperture provided in one of the end walls of said casing, an actuating rod projecting through 76 nected together in latched relation by merely camming the rod into the opening provided in said upstanding wall, and a recess provided in the bottom wall of said casing through which a tool may be inserted for elevating the lower tilted extremity of the guide whereby the rod may be disconnected from the guide.

12. An electric switch including, a cup-shaped casing having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, a carrier carrying contacts c' rried by said casing, a guide member movably ar/anged in said casing, said guide having a bottom wall andan upstanding wall, an opening in said upstanding wall, bridge means supported on said bottom wall adapted to cooperate with said contacts, means integral with the bottom wall of said guide engaging thebottom wall of said casing for normally maintaining said guide in a tilted position, an aperture provided in one of the end walls of said casing, an actuating rod projecting through said aperture, the upstanding wall of said guide and the inner extremity of said rod being so constructed and arranged that they may be connected together in latched relation by merely camming the rod into the opening provided in said upstanding wall, a recess provided in the bottom wall of said casing through which a tool may be inserted for elevating the lower tilted extremity of the guide whereby the rod may be disconnected from the guide, stop means loosely arranged in said casing, and resilient means urging said guide in one direction and said stop means in another direction so that said stop is held in spaced apart relation to said guide.

13. An electric switch including, a switch casing, a carrier carrying contacts carried by said casing, switch mechanism carrying contact means adapted for connection with said contacts on said carrier, an opening provided in a wall of said casing, an actuating member reciprocably mounted in said opening and connected to said mechanism for operating the same, stop means loosely arranged in said casing between said mechanism and said casing wall, resilient means interposed between said mechanism and said stop means for normally maintaining said stop means and said mechanism in spaced apart relation, a recess provided in the bottom wall of said casing opposite the connection between said actuating member and said mechanism whereby a tool may be inserted into the recess to move said mechanism in a direction whereby said actuating member may be disconnected from said mechanism.

14. In an electric switch, a casing, a carrier carrying contacts carriedl by said casing, switch mechanism arranged in said casing, contact means carried by said switch mechanism adapted to cooperate with the contacts on said carrier, means integral with and projecting from said mechanism engaging the bottom wall of said casingwhereby to normally maintain said mechanism in a tilted position, actuating means extending in'to said switch casing connected to said switch mechanism, and a recess provided in the bottom wall of said switch casing providing -means throughwhich a tool may be inserted to be disconnected from said switch mechanism.

ELMER E. JOHNSON. 

